How to Overcome Anxiety Naturally

Overcoming anxiety naturally as a safe option to many of the pharmaceutical medications used to treat anxiety disorders. Several methods that allow you to overcome anxiety inexpensively, easily and effectively include breathing exercises, diet changes, aromatherapy and relaxation techniques. Try out each of these methods, and then use them in combination whenever you begin to feel anxious, to help you eliminate anxiety as a regular part of your life.

Things You'll Need

• Aromatherapy candles
• Guided imagery recordings

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Instructions

Lower Your Anxiety Level

• 1

  Examine your diet for causes of anxiety. Foods high in sugar or caffeine, both natural stimulants, can leave you feeling restless and agitated. Cut down on the amount of processed foods you consume to prevent taking in unnatural preservatives.

  Eat foods rich in of B complex vitamins, magnesium and calcium, such as dairy, meat, leafy greens and whole grains. These foods can help treat anxiety disorders by helping your body feel calm and more relaxed. Examine and change your eating habits as well; rushing through meals, overeating and not chewing your food enough before swallowing can put extra stress on your body, which can increase your chances of experiencing anxiety. Slow down, follow your body's signals and chew foods completely to help reduce anxiety.

• 2

  Learn relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercise (focusing on your breathing as air moves in and out of your body), progressive muscle relaxation or even meditation. Yoga can also help you overcome anxiety naturally. Learn to relax through guided imagery recordings and self-hypnosis. Knowing how to create a feeling of calm, even in the most stressful situations, can help radically reduce your anxiety level. Accept that you do not have control over everything, and learn how to let go and relax when things go wrong.

• 3

  Take care of your body. Exercise regularly---three to four times a week for at least 30 minutes---to relieve stress and prevent the occurrence of anxiety attacks. Exercise also releases endorphins, chemicals that naturally helps you feel more relaxed. Get adequate amounts of sleep---at least eight hours, which will help your body function normally and make it easier for you to cope with stressful events without unnatural amounts of anxiety.

• 4

  Invest in aromatherapy candles or oils to improve your mood. Lime and other citrus scents, lavender, jasmine and sandalwood all work to treat anxiety naturally. Light candles whenever you feel anxious, or when you know you will face a stressful situation. The scents you choose can calm you, energize you and make you feel more in control, or even just remind you of a more relaxing time, such as a spruce-scented candle that reminds you of the holidays during your childhood.